EDP 631 Core Seminar III:Issues and Problems in Organizational Theory, Leadership, and Policy AnalysisDraft 1.0 review in first class updated readings as semester progresses
Meets: 4:00–6:45P.M., Wed.
Instructor: Dr. David Byrd
Office: Chafee 706
Work 874-5484
dbyrd@uri.edu
Office Hrs: 3:00 – 4:00 PM Wed., by appointment or after class

Course Description
Issues and problems related to applications of organizational theory, leadership theory, and policy analysis are studied. Core seminar examines cases related to district, state, and/or regional educational offices and agencies.

Shared Values
- Respect other's opinions, be aware of talk time, draw out quiet people
- Push/challenge each other; give constructive criticism
- Usefulness
- Self monitoring of technology usage

Required Readings
Various chapters of the text are listed by week. These research based strategies have implications for instruction PK-20 and in workforce development. The research base for each strategy
Required Text: Dean, C., Hubbell, E., Pitler, H., & Stone, B. (2012). Classroom instruction that works (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Course Requirements
During this course students complete a review of research on a topic which has implications for educational policy and decision making. Class time will be spent in the discussion of policy, leadership, research and theory related to educational improvement. Therefore, your knowledge and experiences in education are of major importance in the interpretation and analysis of course reading. Class attendance and participation are important aspects of this class.

Scholarly Paper Assignment
You are to pick a policy issue related to educational policy with implications for educational improvement and write a scholarly paper that is of publishable quality in a peer reviewed journal. This article should have as its core research based inquiry (approximately 5000 words). It is the expectation of this course that you will send the resulting paper to an educational journal for review or that you add a commentary to your paper and submit it for publication. The paper will be shared in sections with peer reviewers:
  1. Policy focus for paper on an educational problem with policy implications e.g., what is the problem, what will happen if nothing is done, what does research tell us about possible solutions, therefore what is your recommendation for action? (See additional information below for 1. problem statement, 2. second draft and 3. final paper.
  2. Problem statement 10%, first draft 20% final paper 50% (Total 70% of grade). Late papers will receive a 10% reduction per week.

General policy resources with examples of policy papers:

1. National Education Policy Center http://nepc.colorado.edu
The National Education Policy Center (NEPC) sponsors research, produces policy briefs, and publishes expert third-party reviews of think tank reports. The Center’s publications are written in accessible language and are intended for a broad audience that includes academic experts, policymakers, the media, and the general public. Our goal is to provide high-quality information in support of democratic deliberation about education policy. NEPC is housed at the University of Colorado Boulder School of Education.

2. Educational Policy http://journals.sagepub.com/home/epx
Educational Policy (EPX) focuses on the practical consequences of educational policy decisions and alternatives. It examines the relationship between educational policy and educational practice, and sheds new light on important debates and controversies within the field.Educational Policy blends the best of educational research with the world of practice, making it a valuable resource for educators, policy makers, administrators, researchers, teachers, and graduate students.
Example: Finding Freedom: Facilitating Postsecondary Pathways for Undocumented Students

Example: Am examination of the (Un)Intended Consequences of Performance Funding in Higher Education


2. Consortium for Policy Research in Education (CPRE) http://www.cpre.org/
The Consortium for Policy Research in Education (CPRE) brings together education experts from renowned research institutions to contribute new knowledge that informs PK-20 education policy and practice. Our work is peer-reviewed and open-access.

3. RAND Corporation https://www.rand.org/topics/education-policy.html
Education policy includes laws as well as processes and policies that educational organizations, local districts, states, and nations put in place and follow to achieve academic goals. RAND analyses have informed education policy in the United States, United Kingdom, Qatar, and many other countries.

3. Five Simple Steps to Reading Policy Research


Weekly assignments
  1. You are asked each week to prepare comments or question for each weeks reading along with your rationale for why your question relates to an important policy issue in education (10% Grade)
  2. Classroom Instruction that works assignment each choose a chapter concept and present a short lesson (10%), engage in weekly discussion of power of strategy and examples of how it can be used in instructional setting.
  3. Each week you will provide an in-class update on progress made toward completion of your scholarly work and meet in teams for peer review and support. (5%)
  4. Class attendance and participation.(5%)

Week
Topics and Readings
Week 1 1/24

Review syllabus and course requirements.

Wiki space invitation confirmed.

1. Charts That Show What Education in America Is Like in 2017


Compelling visuals on the key issues of the past year
https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2017/12/9-charts-that-show-what-education-in-america-is-like-in-2017/549287/?utm_source=eb

Questions:

2. Please review Washington Post predictions 2018, 2017 and 2016 and make list of top policy predictions. What are the major changes between predictions for over the three years?

Nine education predictions for 2018 – some of them heartbreaking
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2018/01/02/nine-education-predictions-for-2018-some-of-them-heartbreaking/?utm_term=.eae3aea02f0f

A teacher makes eight education predictions for 2017 — some of them dire, Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/12/17/a-teacher-makes-eight-education-predictions-for-2017-some-of-them-dire/?utm_term=.cca5f8cfd155

Eight educational predictions for 2016, Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/12/25/eight-education-predictions-and-some-wishful-thinking-for-2016-a-teachers-list/
Nine educational predictions for 2015, Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/12/28/nine-education-predictions-for-2015/

3.Forbes 5 Predictions for Education. Compare to Forbes predictions 2011– bottom of page link below.


4. 4 Trends Poised to Transform the Future of Higher Education


4. Classroom Instruction that works assignment each choose a chapter concept and present a short lesson (choose chapters in class this week for next weeks presentations).

5. Research-Based Options for Education Policy making 2016 (lighting rounds - 3 minute presentation choose topics for presentation in next weeks class).
Week 2
1/31
1. Read for class and be ready to discuss example of how to use strategy, what is the "power" of the strategy for student learning, and any concerns about outcomes or implementation.
Classroom Instruction that Works: Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement
Read for class Chapter 1. Setting Objectives and Providing Feedback Chapters Introduction

Website for Honors URI Fall 2013 Honors Colloquium
http://web.uri.edu/hc/hcarchives/2013hc/

2. View in class
Video: Grading Education: Getting Accountability Right Keynote by Richard Rothstein, research associate of the Economic Policy Institute and senior fellow of the Chief Justice Earl Warren Institute on Law and Social Policy at the University of California Berkeley School of Law.

3. Read for class






4. Read for class and compare policy implications over time.

Top 10 Higher Education Policy Issues for 2018

http://www.aascu.org/policy/publications/policy-matters/Top10Issues2018.pdf

Top 10 Policy Issues for 2017


Top 10 Higher Education State Policy Issues for 2015



Top 10Higher Education State Policy Issues for 2010

by AASCU



The Future of higher Education: Transforming the Students of Tomorrow


5. Research-Based Options for Education Policy making 2016 (lighting rounds - 3 minute presentation choose topics in class week before)


http://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/research-based-options
  1. Regulating Charter Schools
  2. The Effectiveness of Class Size Reduction
  3. Does Money Matter?
  4. The Purpose for Education: Truing the Balance Wheel
  5. Housing Policy

2013 Research Based Options (for your review and examples for your paper assignment).
http://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/options
William J. Mathis

January 17, 2013

Section 1: Teacher Evaluation. After reviewing different types of evaluative methods, Mathis points out the importance of using a combination of methods, of including all stakeholders in decision-making about evaluation systems, and of investing in the evaluation system.

Section 2: Common Core State Standards. The actual effect of the widespread adoption of the Common Core State Standards will depend less on the standards themselves than on how they are used.

Section 3: Preschool Education. Investment in high-quality preschool education is one of the most effective reform strategies. This section details the key elements of such a program, and the supporting research.

Section 4: Public Funding of School Choice. The determination of “fair” funding for various school choice approaches requires careful examination and inquiry of the factors outlined in this section.

Section 5: Dropout Strategies. Mathis discusses the success of various dropout prevention strategies, and advises policymakers on how best to decrease dropout rates.

Section 6: English Language Learners Parent Involvement

Section 7: Effective School Expenditures

Section 8: 21st Century College and Career Ready

Section 9: LGBT Safety Policies

Section 10: Detracking

Additional article: William Mathis, 2015, National Educational Policy Center: School Accountability, Multiple Measures


Op Ed piece on State Testing read for class
Kern_Test Scores Projo Op Ed.pdf
Kern_Test Scores Projo Op Ed.pdf
Kern_Test Scores Projo Op Ed.pdf
http://www.providencejournal.com/opinion/commentary/20130711-diane-kern-and-lynne-derbyshire-test-scores-should-inform-not-punish-students.ece

Op Ed piece on Charter Schools read for class




http://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/research-based-options
Week 3
2/7
1. Read for class and be ready to discuss example of how to use strategy, what is the "power" of the strategy for student learning, and any concerns about outcomes or implementation.
Classroom Instruction that Works: Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement
Chapter 2. Reinforcing Effort and Providing Recognition

2. Read for class: Data: Where Do Teachers Get Their Ideas?

These results are based on a September 2017 online survey from the Education Week Research Center of a nationally representative sample of more than 500 K-12 teachers. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percent.
https://www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/data-where-do-teachers-get-their-ideas.html

3. Read for class.
The New School
‘Building a Better Teacher’ and ‘Getting Schooled’
By SEBASTIAN STOCKMAN
: **http://nyti.ms/1toGFaO**


4. Materials on literature reviews

Guidelines for writing a literature review by Helen Mongan-Rallis. Last updated: November 17, 2006
http://www.d.umn.edu/~hrallis/guides/researching/litreview.html

5. Will view in class. Two black students, employing YouTube videos and a hashtag, started a campaign to expose what they see as a hostile climate at Boston Latin School, a beacon of high achievement that was founded in 1635.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/31/education/students-say-racial-hostilities-simmered-at-historic-boston-latin-school.html?smid=nytcore-iphone-share&smprod=nytcore-iphone

6. Read for class4_Noguera Bio.pdf

Noguera Bio
http://www.pedronoguera.com/bio/
4_Jorge the Janitor Finally Quits.pdf
4_Jorge the Janitor Finally Quits.pdf
4_Jorge the Janitor Finally Quits.pdf
4_Noguera_Achievement Gap.pdf
4_Noguera_Achievement Gap.pdf
4_Noguera_Achievement Gap.pdf

Will view in class. Video: Creating the Opportunity to Learn Diversity Week keynote address by Pedro Noguera, Peter L. Agnew Professor of Education at New York University.
Week
4
2/14
1. First draft policy statement describing the problem, question, or objective of your paper.
Emailed as MSWord attachment to peer reviewer and dbyrd@uri.edu by Sunday after class by Noon. Please title file using the following format (name_631 title topic.doc). Peer reviewer should respond using MSWord Review function by Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.

Label each section:
  1. What is the problem?
  2. What will happen if nothing is done?
  3. What does research tell us about possible solutions?
  4. What is your recommendation for action?

2. Read for class and be ready to discuss example of how to use strategy, what is the "power" of the strategy for student learning, and any concerns about outcomes or implementation.
Classroom Instruction that Works: Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement
Chapter 3. Cooperative Learning

Read for class.



3. Read for Class: Additional Materials on writing dissertation including literature review




4. Read one of the following:The Impacts of State Control Policies on College Tuition Increase


Immigrant Students in the Trump Era: What We Know and Do Not Know


Week
5
2/21
1. Read for class and be ready to discuss example of how to use strategy, what is the "power" of the strategy for student learning, and any concerns about outcomes or implementation.
Classroom Instruction that Works: Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement
Chapter 4. Cues Questions and advanced Organizers

2. American's Future Increasing College Readiness



3. Education Policy Issues American Association of School Administrators (Lighting rounds each take one topic)

http://aasa.org/content.aspx?id=31224

Assessment and Accountability
Declining Enrollment and Fast Growth
Evaluation
Graduation Rates
High School Improvement
Pension Portability
School Construction
The 65 Percent Campaign
Urban Education
Vouchers

Read for class.

14_Sahlberg Bio.pdf
14_Sahlberg Bio.pdf
14_Sahlberg Bio.pdf
14_Sahlberg_Ambassador spreads the word.pdf
14_Sahlberg_Ambassador spreads the word.pdf
14_Sahlberg_Ambassador spreads the word.pdf
14_West_NewDirectionsEducationReform.pdf
14_West_NewDirectionsEducationReform.pdf
14_West_NewDirectionsEducationReform.pdf

Video: Finnish Lessons: What Can the World Learn from Educational Change in Finland? Distinguished International Visiting Scholar address byPasi Sahlberg, director general of the Centre for International Mobility andCooperation, Helsinki, Finland.

Video: The Future of Public Higher Education David Bergeron, vice president for postsecondary education, Center for American Progress, and former acting assistant secretary, U.S. Department of Education.
5_November Bio.pdf
5_November Bio.pdf
5_November Bio.pdf
5_November_creating-a-new-culture-of-teaching-and-learning.pdf
5_November_creating-a-new-culture-of-teaching-and-learning.pdf
5_November_creating-a-new-culture-of-teaching-and-learning.pdf
5_November_students-as-contributors.pdf
5_November_students-as-contributors.pdf
5_November_students-as-contributors.pdf

Creating a New Culture for Teaching and Learning International leader in education technology Alan November, cofounder of the Stanford Institute for Educational Leadership and one of Technology and Learning magazine’s 15 most influential thinkers of the decade.
Week
6
2/28
1. Read for class and be ready to discuss example of how to use strategy, what is the "power" of the strategy for student learning, and any concerns about outcomes or implementation.
Classroom Instruction that Works: Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement
Read for class Chapter 5 Nonlinguistic Representations.

2. Read for class and be ready to discuss example of how to use strategy, what is the "power" of the strategy for student learning, and any concerns about outcomes or implementation.
Classroom Instruction that Works: Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement
Read for class Chapter 6. Summarizing and Note Taking

3. Read for class.

Ravitch The Reign of Error



6_Ravitch_PSU Bios.pdf


6_Ravitch_PSU Speaks Truth.pdf

6_Ravitch_PSU Speaks Truth.pdf
6_Ravitch_PSU Speaks Truth.pdf


Discuss
1. RI Council on Postsecondary Education, Council Meeting, Wednesday, March 21 at 5:30 p.m. RIC Faculty Center Donovan Dining Center.
or
RI Council on Elementary and Secondary, Council Meeting, Tuesday, March 27 at 5:30 p.m. RIDE
Discuss agenda and make discussion on which to attend.
Week
7
3/7
Work on second draft statement describing the problem, question, or objective of your paper. A goal is to have data based references to support your problem statement and your proposed solution (see below). A goal is to have approximately half your project completed.
Emailed as MSWord attachment to peer reviewer and dbyrd@uri.edu by Sunday after Spring Break by Noon. Please title file using the following format (name_631 title topic.doc). Peer reviewer should respond using MSWord Review function by Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.

Label each section:
  1. What is the problem?
  2. What will happen if nothing is done?
  3. What does research tell us about possible solutions?
  4. What is your recommendation for action?
Week
8
3/14
URI Spring break no classes


Week 9
3/21
1. RI Council on Postsecondary Education, Council Meeting, Wednesday, March 21 at 5:30 p.m. RIC Faculty Center Donovan Dining Center.
or
RI Council on Elementary and Secondary, Council Meeting, Tuesday, March 27 at 5:30 p.m. RIDE

2. Below are the reports on higher education review at past Post Secondary meeting. As new agenda becomes available there may be additional readings.




https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/education/higher-education
Week
10
3/28
Please review the following assignments/readings and meet with your peer reviewer relative to feedback on your paper.

1. Read for class and be ready to discuss example of how to use strategy, what is the "power" of the strategy for student learning, and any concerns about outcomes or implementation.
Classroom Instruction that Works: Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement
Read for class Chapter 7 Assigning Homework and Providing Practice.

3. The Teacher Wars by Dana Godsteinhttp://nyti.ms/1toFsjO


4. Examples of published EDP 631 paper accepted for publication.


  • Watters, P.A. (2015). Testing: Room for creativity. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change. www.ijicc.net, 2 (2) 2.




  • Silva Mangiante, E. M. (2011). Teachers matter: Measures of teacher effectiveness in low-income minority schools. Asse Eval Acc , 23, 4163.



  • Zoll, S. (in press). Sustainable Practices in Mentoring: Tools to Support Child Outcomes and a Mentoring Protocol in Early Language and Literacy. NHSA Dialog: A Research-to-Practice Journal for the Early Childhood Field.


9_PARCC Fact Sheet.pdf
9_PARCC Fact Sheet.pdf
9_PARCC Fact Sheet.pdf





Read for class
Prepared Remarks by U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to the American Enterprise Institute




OPINION
Rage Against the Common Core BY DAVID L. KIRP
The backlash against education standards.
Or, copy and paste this URL into your browser: **http://nyti.ms/1zJceRt**



Week
11
4/4
1.
1. Read for class and be ready to discuss example of how to use strategy, what is the "power" of the strategy for student learning, and any concerns about outcomes or implementation.
Classroom Instruction that Works: Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement
Read for class Chapter 8. Identifying Similarities and Differences


2. Examples of published EDP 631 paper accepted for publication. Please pick one and review for discussion of paper published by colleagues who have submitted EDP papers for publication.


  • Watters, P.A. (2015). Testing: Room for creativity. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change. www.ijicc.net, 2 (2) 2.




  • Silva Mangiante, E. M. (2011). Teachers matter: Measures of teacher effectiveness in low-income minority schools. Asse Eval Acc , 23, 4163.



  • Zoll, S. (in press). Sustainable Practices in Mentoring: Tools to Support Child Outcomes and a Mentoring Protocol in Early Language and Literacy. NHSA Dialog: A Research-to-Practice Journal for the Early Childhood Field.




3. Read each for discussion.








1. Read for class and be ready to discuss example of how to use strategy, what is the "power" of the strategy for student learning, and any concerns about outcomes or implementation.
Classroom Instruction that Works: Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement
Read for class Chapter 9. Generating and Testing Hypotheses

Video: The State of Our Rhode Island Students Panel discussion moderated by Maureen Moakley, URI professor of political science and political commentator for Rhode Island PBS and Rhode Island NPR, with leaders from the Economic Progress Institute, Rhode Island Kids Count, Council for Exceptional Children, and the URI Veterans Affairs Program.
Week
12
4/11
Finkelstein Lecture - Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wednesday, April 11, 7:00 p.m. Additional opportunities may exist to meet with her as the program becomes more defined.





11_Hrabowski Bio.pdf
11_Hrabowski Bio.pdf
11_Hrabowski Bio.pdf

11_Hrabowski_High Expectations.pdf
11_Hrabowski_High Expectations.pdf
11_Hrabowski_High Expectations.pdf

Video: Elevating All Students Address by Freeman Hrabowski, president, University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Week
13
4/18
All Final Papers Due Monday at noon before class email as attachment (dbyrd@uri.edu).
Please title file using the following format (name_631 title topic.doc). Peer reviewer should respond using MSWord Review function.


Paper Presentations
Week
14
4/25
Paper Presentations
Additional reading:

1. http://nepc.colorado.edu/newsletter/2018/01/eight-public
2.

3. The most controversial Cabinet pick in recent memory squeaks through with some help from Vice President Pence. Here are some implications for higher education, school choice and more.http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2017/02/07/513739920/betsy-devos-confirmed-as-education-secretary?sc=ipad&f=1001

4. Rhode Island Governor Gina Raymond announced that she was proposing a $1 billion initiative to fix Rhode Island’s broken schools.

http://www.golocalprov.com/news/raimondos-1-billion-school-funding-program-will-only-touch-one-third-of-the

5.
Five Hurdles That Keep School Systems From Improving - Education Week

Chronically low-performing states must work to overcome structural disadvantages and longstanding challenges that many of them share.
6.

http://providencejournal.com/news/20171221/six-staffers-hired-to-boost-student-engagement-at-middle-schools

7. A 'Forgotten History' Of How The U.S. Government Segregated America

by Terry Gross

FA - May 3, 2017

Author Richard Rothstein says the housing programs begun under the New Deal were tantamount to a "state-sponsored system of segregation," in which people of color were purposely excluded from suburbs.

http://www.npr.org/2017/05/03/526655831/a-forgotten-history-of-how-the-u-s-government-segregated-america?sc=ipad&f=1008


8.
https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/.../a-new-way-to-measure-schools-russia-readers-best-u-...

9.
http://nepc.colorado.edu/newsletter/2018/01/education-savings-accounts

10.

11.

Policy Brief Explores SES Measures Used by Researchers and Policymakers

http://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/SES